Big 12 Athlete of the Year candidates will be highlighted each day through July 19. Fans who follow the Big 12 Conference on Facebook and twitter will then be able to vote for their male and female choices from July 19-23. Fan voting will be considered in the final tally for selecting this prestigious award.

Today's featured candidates are Oklahoma's Keilani Ricketts and Kendric Maple.

MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR NOMINEE

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR NOMINEE

Kendric Maple; Wrestling Junior; Wichita, Kan.

♦ First Sooner to win an individual NCAA championship in wrestling in eight years ♦ One of just six wrestlers nationally to end the season undefeated ♦ Back-to-back All-America honors ♦ Won his second consecutive Big 12 title at 141 pounds ♦ Earned his 100th career win in the NCAA quarterfinal

Keilani Ricketts; Softball Senior; San Jose, Calif.

♦ Honda Cup winner as top female collegiate athlete ♦ Won second straight Honda Award for softball ♦ USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year ♦ Most Outstanding Player in leading OU to the title of the College World Series ♦ Big 12 Pitcher of the Year